Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
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DPC Partners with the U.S. Census Bureau to Support the 2010 Census
The DPC is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to spread the word about the 2010 Census. Conducted every 10 years, the census is much more than a population count. Census data are used to reapportion congressional seats to states, and directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments. For more information, please visit http://www.dpcma.org/News/tabid/716/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/94/DPC-Partners-with-the-US-Census-Bureau-to-Support-the-2010-Census.aspx.
Our Day – February 23, 2010
Our Day, for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind is being held at the State House on February 23rd. Please attend! Additional information on this exciting event is available at http://www.dpcma.org/News/tabid/716/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/95/Deaf-Hard-of-Hearing-and-DeafBlind-Day.aspx.
Disability Agencies Merger Update
Controversy has been brewing for over a year about the potential merging of the three disability agencies: MRC, MCB & MCDHH. It picked up steam in December 2009 after a couple of meetings including one with the MCDHH State Advisory Committee. Members of the SAC immediately took steps to begin organizing the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities with a meeting in Worcester on January 9, 2010.
In response to a request from the Disability Policy Consortium on behalf of our cross-disability constituencies, EOHHS Assistant Secretary Dr. Jean McGuire issued this statement on January 22, 2010:
Bill - Thank you for your efforts to facilitate clarification of concerns regarding the possibility of merger of the disability agencies. This email is intended to confirm the discussions you and I have had - there are no plans to merge the disability agencies at this time. There is nothing in the FY11 budget that will require mergers of these agencies. As we have discussed, given the ongoing budget challenges, the governor has directed that we maximize efficiencies across agencies and secretariats so that we can assure that we maximize the funds that are available to support services. Therefore, we will be continuing to look for ways to consolidate back office functions across agencies, improve purchasing mechanisms, and facilitate co-location and other collaborations that can improve client service access as well as gain efficiencies.
Thank you for your interest. I hope this answers your concerns.
- Jean
MBTA Settlement Assessment
Assessment of MBTA/BCIL Settlement Agreement
Date: February 1, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: 10 Park Plaza, Rooms 2 and 3
Attendees: Judge Patrick King
MBTA Staff Members
Judge Patrick King will be hosting a public meeting to discuss his assessment with the MBTA’s progress towards compliance with the MBTA/BCIL settlement agreement. Please come to share your questions and comments regarding accessibility at the T.
USAID – Response to Disability Issues in the Haiti Response and Recovery Efforts
“Disasters are always inclusive. Response and recovery are not, unless we plan for it.”
USAID is actively working to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are being addressed amidst the response and recovery efforts in Haiti. USAID’s is acutely aware of the access and functional needs of people with disability and is working to offer service providers and coordinating bodies the information required to guide inclusive response efforts.
A Working Group (WG) of technical experts from USAID, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been formed and has begun to establish guidelines and procedures for a coordinated U.S. Government response to the functional needs of Haitians with disabilities. The WG is also developing strategies for the emergency, transitional, and long-term phases of the recovery efforts.
Immediately, the Working Group will:
Recommend that disability issues be formally represented at Task Force Meetings.
Consolidate information on U.S. Government (USG) agency involvement in Haiti and expand the USG Working Group as necessary.
In consultation with Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) and other experts, develop and disseminate resource documents and tools on best practices to ensure the response and recovery is inclusive of people with disabilities.
Compile information on who is doing what in Haiti with regard to disability in order to access existing capabilities on-the-ground to rapidly expand services.
Ensure Federal Agency response to disability issues is documented and disseminated.
In addition to working directly with other Federal Agencies, USAID will coordinate its efforts with DPOs and the Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD), who has established a Working Group focused on the reconstruction of Port-au-Prince.
USAID’s Leahy War Victim’s Fund, Wheelchair and Disability programs have extensive experience in restoring mobility (through provision of physical rehabilitation, artificial limbs, wheelchairs, mobility devices) and have promoted inclusive development practices in over 50 countries worldwide. USAID will engage with its development partners to assess their current level of involvement in Haiti, guide recovery efforts in a coordinated fashion and make funds available for recovery and development efforts in the future.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact: Rob Horvath, rhorvath@usaid.gov or Sue Eitel, seitel@usaid.gov.